AAP welcomes Sidhus decision to to quit RS, opens its doors

New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Aam Aadmi Party today welcomed BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhus decision to quit from Rajya Sabha and opened its doors to the cricketer-turned-politician to join its ranks, signalling an imminent churning ahead of next years Punjab Assembly polls.

Within minutes of Sidhus resignation, AAPs Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur and AAP state in-charge Sanjay Singh hailed Sidhus "courageous" decision and said the party was "looking forward" to welcome him.

AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said Sidhu would be making an "announcement" soon, adding that the party is open to the joining of individuals who believe in honest politics.

Asked if Sidhu could be made AAPs chief ministerial candidate in case he decides to take the plunge, AAPs Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said, "Whoever joins AAP, he is clearly told that it has to be unconditional."

Sidhu, a former Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, was convicted in a culpable homicide case in Patiala and is out on bail.

Singh, a member of AAPs highest decision-making body Political Affairs Committee, tweeted, "Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken a courageous step by resigning as a BJP member from the Rajya Sabha. I welcome his decision."

Sidhus decision came on a day AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is touring Punjab as part of the partys intense push to capture power in the northern state by defeating the incumbent SAD-BJP alliance and Congress in a triangular contest. PTI SBR SMJ ZMN SMJ

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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